The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1887-11-29

was of no avail. gave very little at
tention to business for some weeks,
J and was almost completely Frustrated
by the blow. To add to our troubles
my wife became indisposed and finally
lost her appetite and at last was
seriously i'll. During her del.rious
moments she would call piteously for
Mabel.
"a consultation of physicians was
held and was advised to prepare for
the worst. 1t came about a week
later-after many nights Of weary
watching my wife fell into peaceful
slumber. from which she never awoke.
The end came one fine Sabbath morn
ing when the church bells were sum-
moning the people to worship.
"My home was broken up. Iplunged
into business harder than ever in order
to stifle and forget the effects of my
bereavements. became reckless and
lost considerable money that ordinary
caution would have prevented. Three
years passed; / still lived in the old
house which had been the scene of SO
much happiness, but now was so desc
late.
al was advised by friends to sell the
property, move elsewhere and take a
wife. But I still held the memory of
my wife too sacred to think of any one
else in that light
From time to time I advertised in
general way offering reward for in
| formation relative to Mabers where
abouts, but met with failure in every
instance.
my room in the house was on the
! first or parlor floor Immediately in the
rear of the back psrlor. From the
back parlor a glass door connected
with small veranda that stood at the
side of the house. 1t was my habit
: in warm weather to leave the doors
open in both parlors so as to get
cool draft of air from the front win
dow.
Zone night sat up later than usual.
writing some letters that wished to
send by the early mail next day. I
was sitting at my desk in little room
off my bedroom. 1t was nearly mid
night, and the housekeeper and two
servants were in their rooms overhead,
in the rear portion of the house.
at was very quiet; nothing but the
scratching of my pen and the ticking
Of the little clock on the mantel in the
next room disturbed the absolute still
ness of the hour. During a pause in
my writing 1 fancied heard a slight
noise at the glass door. listened and
as it was not repeated / resumed my
writing. A few minutes later heard
the knob of the glass door turn softly as
ifsome one was trying to getit 1.-THE
same time thought | saw the shadow
of man on the wall of the house next
70 mine.
There hung on the wall Of my room
Winchester rifle which had been my
good and trusty companion during my
sharpshooting days when was in the
Wilderness with General Grant There
had been some burglaries committed in
our block the week previous and had
cleaned and reloaded the rife.
sit was the work Of a moment to
cross the room. take down the weapon.
cock it. and advance into the back par
lor. II would be certain death for the
burglar il shot at him, for I had
picked of many q rebel while was in
the Wilderness. and never was known
to miss my man.
| 81 stood thus for perhaps two min
utes in no little suspense when the door
knob was again tried and head ap-
peared just above the edge Of the wood
work below the glass. / assumed that
the burglar was on his knees trying the
lock. Immediately called out in q
loud voice:
"'Throw up your hands or I'll fire at
you,' and taking deliberate aim at the
head l counted: "'One. two'-just then
my finger began to press the trigger
when a child's voice called out: Don't
fire, papa. it is me, come back to You
and mammal
Il dropped the rifle to the floor; a
cold perspiration covered me and l
trembled from head to foot. l stag
gered to the door and with neryeless
fingers, unlocked it somehow.
1.-The next instant my long-lost child
was being nearly crushed in my arms,
and wept the first tears of joy of my
life.
"By this time the housekeeper and
two servants appeared, the gas was
lighted and the uproar increased by
one of the girls going into Mysteries.
"a policeman came to inquire the
cause of the disturbance and was
amazed when l grabbed him around his
ample wrist and exclaimed: Thank
Godr When the housekeeper told him
about it he rubbed his sleeve over his
eyes and said he was glad. too, and